Methods of and apparatus for assembling elements with a support

ABSTRACT

Methods of and apparatus for assembling a plurality of magnetic cores in a predetermined arrangement with associated nests of a support stick. A plurality of the magnetic cores are deposited successively into aligned nesting pockets of a loading slide in the predetermined arrangement. A plurality of pickup pins of a transfer mechanism pick up the magnetic cores in the predetermined arrangement and transfer the cores onto the associated nests of the support stick. Stripping sleeves then move over the pins and move the cores in the predetermined arrangement into the nests of the support stick.

PATENTEflmza 197i.

SHEET 1 [IF 5 Nb m6 INVENTOR R. A. GREENE BY WM v ATTORNEY v 'PATENTED umza |97| I SHEET 2 BF 5 PATENTEDHARZIJISYI 7 3571.902

SHEET 5 M5 METFIDDS Di'" AND AFFAIRATDS FDR ASSEMDIJING ELEMENTS WITIiil A SIJIPFDIIIT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention This invention relates to methods of and apparatus for assembiing an element with a support and particularly relates to methods of and apparatus for assembling a plurality of magnetic cores with a support stick.

2. Description of the Frior Art In some memory systems, a plurality of small magnetic cores are frequently used as switching elements. The small magnetic cores are placed in a precise arrangement to facilitate the interweaving of wires through openings in the cores. One arrangement of the magnetic cores includes the use of a support stick having a plurality of nests for supporting a corresponding plurality of the cores. Each of the plurality of nests is formed with a contour which conforms to the contour of the magnetic core and is slightly larger than the core. The plurality of nests are arranged in a close side-by-side relation and are located adjacent to associated openings formed in the support stick.

The magnetic cores, which are small and difficult to manipulate manually, have been assembled axially manually onto a rod and then successive cores are taken from the rod and placed in an associated one of the plurality of nests on the support stick. Due to the small size of the magnetic cores and the nests and, further, the close spacing of the nests, it is time consuming and tedious to prepare the cores and assembly them in the nests.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of this invention to provide new and improved methods of the apparatus for assembling an element with a support.

Another object of this invention is to provide new and improved methods of and apparatus for assembling a plurality of magnetic cores simultaneously in adjacent nests of a support.

Still another object of this invention is to provide new and improved methods of and apparatus for automatically assembiing a plurality of magnetic cores in a desired arrangement and transferring automatically the assembled cores to associated nests formed in a support.

A method of assembling elements with a support in accordance with certain principles of the invention may include the steps of supporting an element, positioning -a transfer device adjacent to and in a path of alignment with the element, moving the transfer device laterally of the path of alignment so that the element is supported by the device, moving the transfer device adjacent to a support for the element and moving the element and the transfer device relatively along the path of alignment so that the device is withdrawn and the element is assembled with the support.

An apparatus for assembling elements with a support in accordance with certain principles of the invention may include means for supporting an element, a transfer device, means for positioning the transfer device adjacent to and in alignment with the element, means for moving the transfer device laterally of the path of alignment to support the element, means for moving the transfer device adjacent to a support for the element and means for moving the transfer device and the element relatively along the path of alignment to withdraw the device and assemble the element with the support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is a partial perspective view showing a portion of a support stick, with nests formed in the stick and a magnetic core positioned in one of the nests;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an apparatus for assembling core elements with a support in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. I with parts broken away showing the apparatus for assembling the core elements with the support;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing a nest included in the apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3 for the support;

FIG. 5 is a partial front view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3 with parts broken away showing a device for loading successive magnetic cores into associated loading nests;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 showing a side view of the device for loading cores;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 3 showing a mechanism for transferring cores from the loading device shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 to the support shown in FIGS. l and 4;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7 showing details of a portion of the mechanism for transferring the cores;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 3 showing the transfer mechanism in a position for picking up one of the cores;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to the views of FIGS. 8 and 9 showing the transfer mechanism in a position for depositing one of the cores onto the support stick; and

FIG. II is a view similar to the views of FIGS. 8 and 9 showing the transfer mechanism in a position for moving the deposited core of FIG. 10 on top of the support stick.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to FIG. it, there is illustrated an assembly, designated generally by the numeral 21, which includes a support stick, designated generally by the numeral 22, and a magnetic core designated generally by the numeral 23, having a central opening 24. The support stick 22 is composed of a nonconductive material and is formed with a plurality of nests, designated generally by the numeral 26, for receiving and supporting a corresponding plurality of the magnetic cores 23-23. The plurality of nests 26-26 are formed by opposed, spaced scalloped surfaces 27 and 28. Forward portions of the scalloped surface 27 are formed on one surface of a shelf 2% which extends laterally from and along the length of one side 30 of the support stick 22. The scalloped surface 28 and rearward portions of the scalloped surface 27 are formed in opposed longitudinal edges of a depression 31 formed in the surface 30 of the support stick 22 with the forward and rearward portions of the scalloped surface 27 being contiguous.

Each of the nests 26-26 includes opposed, spaced curved portions of the scalloped surfaces 27 and 28 which provide a spacing slightly larger than the diameter of the magnetic cores 23-23. A plurality of oblong openings 32-32 are formed in the support stick 22 adjacent to the plurality of nests 26-26 and provide passages for drive and interrogate windings (not shown) which are threaded subsequently through the openings 24-24 of the nested magnetic cores 23-23. It is noted that the oblong openings 32-32 extend through associated portions of the scalloped surface 2%.

The diameter of each of the magnetic cores 23-23 is approximately 0.l562 inch and each of the nests 26-26 have contoured surfaces which provide a slightly larger opening. Due to the small size of the magnetic cores 23-23 and the nests 26-26, it is difficult to handle and manipulate the cores as they are deposited into the associated nests. In addition, the successive assembly of the magnetic cores 23-23 into the associated nests 26-26 is difficult due to the close spacing of adjacent nests and the confined enclosure provided by the opposed, spaced, scalloped surfaces 27 and 28 formed in the support stick 22. In order to hold the assembled magnetic cores 23-23 within the associated nests 26-26, a rear surface of each nest is coated with an adhesive prior to the assembly of the cores within the nests.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is illustrated an apparatus, designated generally by the reference numeral 33, for assembling the magnetic cores 23-23 within the associated nests 26-26 formed in the support stick 22. The apparatus 33 includes a pair of spaced vertical stands 34 and 35 which are secured to a fixed horizontal base 36. The vertical stands 34 and 35 support therebetween a nesting bar 38 at a slight angle with respect to the horizontal base 36. A nest, designated generally by the reference number 39, is formed longitudinally along one edge of the nesting bar 38 and supports one of the support sticks 22-22 in a slightly tilted position to receive the magnetic cores 23-23 which are subsequently deposited into the nests 26-26. it is noted that the rear surface of each nest 26 is coated with the adhesive prior to the assembly of the support stick within the nest 39.

A toggle clamp, designated generally by the reference numeral 41, is positioned on top of the nesting bar 38 intermediate the ends thereof and includes an adjustable, resilient, clamping head 42 and a control handle 43. The toggle mechanism 41 is manipulated to press the resilient, clamping head 42 against the intermediate portion of the upper edge of the support stick 22 after the stick has been inserted into the nest 39 of the nesting bar 38.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the nest 39, which is formed in the nesting bar 38, includes a base surface 44 for supporting the lower edge of the support stick 22. In addition, slots 46-46 (one shown) are formed substantially vertically in opposite ends of the nest 39 to support the ends of the support stick 22. A shoulder 47 extends upwardly from a forward portion of the base surface 44 and provides a forward enclosure for a lower portion of the shelf 29 of the support stick 22. In this manner, the nests 26-26 are disposed angularly to facilitate the depositing of the magnetic cores 23-23 into the associated nests and the support stick 22 is rigidly supported during the depositing procedure.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, the apparatus 33 further includes a table 48 which is positioned on the horizontal base 36 and supports thereon a vibratory hopper, designated generally by the reference numeral 49. Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a pair of spaced, vertical plates 51 and 52 which extend upwardly from the base 36 beneath the horizontal surface of the table 48. An air cylinder 53 is positioned on a horizontal platform 54 which extends between and is secured to intermediate portions of opposed walls of the plates 51 and 52. A pair of spaced, parallel rods 56 and 57 extend between upper, opposed portions of the plates 51 and 52.

A slide support 8 is positioned about the rods 56 and 57 for sliding movement thereon. An attachment plate 59 is suspended from the underside of the slide support 58. A pair of cables 61-61 (one shown) are attached to opposite sides of a piston (not shown) within the air cylinder 53 and extend from opposite ends of the air cylinder. The portions of the cables 61-61 which extend from the air cylinder 53 pass over associated sheaves 62-62 and are connected to opposite sides of the attachment plate 59. When the air cylinder 53 is operated to move the piston within the cylinder, the cables 61-61 are moved over the associated sheaves 62-62 so that the attachment plate 59 and the slide support 58 are moved along the length of the rods 56 and 57.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a loading slide, designated generally by the reference numeral 63, is attached to the upper side of the slide support 58 for movement therewith. Referring to FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, the loading slide 63 includes a support member 64 for supporting a forward plate 66 and an upper plate 67. The forward plate 66 is formed with a plurality of spaced posts 68-68 which form spaces 69-69 therebetween. A plurality of scalloped, loading nests 71-71 are formed in the forward plate 66 adjacent to and to the rear of the posts 68-68 so that the base of each of the spaces 69-69 are contiguous with associated ones of the scalloped, loading nests 71-71. A forward end of the upper plate 67 is positioned adjacent to the upper, rearward portions of the forward plate 66 and is formed with a plurality of spaced posts 72-72 having spaces 73-73 formed therebetween. The posts 72-72 of the upper plate 67 are substantially shorter than the posts 68-68 of the forward plate 66 and are aligned with associated ones of the posts 68-68 so that the spaces 69-69 are aligned with associated ones of the spaces 73-73 thereby providing a plurality of continuous openings from the front faces of the posts 68-68 through the rear faces of the posts 72-72.

Thus, the assembling of the forward plate 66 and the upper plate 67, with respect to the support member 64, facilitates the formation of a plurality of individual nesting pockets, designated generally by the reference numeral 74, for receiving individual magnetic cores 23-23 and which corresponds in number to the plurality of nests 26-26 formed in the support stick 22. As viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3, the forward and upper plates 66 and 67 are assembled with the support member 64 in such a manner that posts 68-68 and 72-72, respectively, are angled outwardly upwardly with respect to the support member. Consequently, the nesting pockets 74-74 are Oriented at an acute angle with respect to the vertical orientation of the table 48.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a feed chute 76 extends from the vibratory hopper 49 to portions of the loading slide 63. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the feeding chute 76 is formed with a passage 77 and the lower end thereof is formed at an acute angle with respect to a vertical plane and toward the angled nesting pockets 7474 of the loading slide 63 to facilitate the feeding of the magnetic cores 23-23 from the vibratory hopper 49 to the angled nesting pockets. As further illustrated in FIG. 6, the lower end of the feed chute 76 is formed with a shoulder 78 which is positioned adjacent to the upper surfaces of successive posts 68-68 of the loading slide 63 as the loading slide is moved. The lower end of the feed chute 76 is further formed with a rearward lower edge 79 which is positioned adjacent to the upper surfaces of successive posts 72-72 of the loading slide 63 as the loading slide is moved.

During the feeding of the magnetic cores 23-23 from the vibratory hopper 49 to the angled nesting pockets 74-74 of the loading slide 63, the air cylinder 53 (FIG. 3) is controlled to move the slide in the direction of the arrow as illustrated in FIG. 5 so that successive cores are fed into successively presented nesting pockets of the slide. In this manner, a row of the magnetic cores 23-23 are assembled in a predetermined arrangement identical to the desired arrangement for assembly of the cores with the nests 26-26 (FIG. 1) of the support stick 22.

The complementary contour of the lower end of the feed chute 76 with the contour of the assembled forward and upper plates 66 and 67 of the loading slide 63 provides an enclosed system of feeding the small magnetic cores 23-23 into a closely arranged series of the nesting pockets 74-74. In addition, the upper opening of the nesting pockets 74-74 facilitates the use of a gravitational feeding system and permits the assembly of the magnetic cores 23-23 in the ultimately desired predetermined arrangement without the necessity of tedious and time-consuming handling of each individual core. Subsequent to the assembly of the support stick 22 within the nest 39'of the nesting bar 38 and the assembly of the magnetic cores 23-23 within the nesting pockets 74-74 of the loading slide 63, the cores must be transported to and deposited in the associated nests 26-26 of the support stick with the predetermined arrangement of the cores being maintained during the transporting and depositing procedure.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is illustrated a transfer mechanism 80 which includes a pair of spaced, vertical stands 81 and 82 which support a housing 83 therebetween for rotational movement. Another vertical stand 84 is positioned adjacent to and on the outside of the vertical stand 81 and supports a rotary driving mechanism, designated generally by the numeral 86', for providing rotational driving force for the housing 83. The housing 83 includes a forward member 87 and a rearward member 88.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, and 11, the forward member 87 of the housing 83 is formed with a chamber 89 and the rearward member 88 is formed with a chamber 91. As further iliustrated in FIG. 8, the forward chamber 87 of the housing 83 is formed with a plurality of countersunk passages 92-92 which are aligned with threaded passages 93-93 formed in the rearward member 88 for receiving threaded bolts 94-94 to retain the forward and rearward members in the assembled relation.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, a pair of axially aligned arbor projections 96 and 97 extend outwardly from opposite ends of the rearward member 88 of the housing. 83 and are supported in bearings 98 and 99, respectively. The bearings 98 and 99 are supported by the vertical stands 81 and 82. The arbor projection 97 is coupled by a key 101 to a shaft 102 which extends from the rotary driving mechanism 86 and into a rotatable sleeve 183 which contains the key. The sleeve 103 is sup ported by and between the vertical stands 81 and 84.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, a pair of cylinder supports 104 and 186 are attached to the rear side of the rearward member 88 of the housing 83. The cylinder support 104 supports a pair of air cylinders 187 and 108 and the cylinder support 1116 supports a pair of air cylinders 1119 and 111. Piston rods 112, 113, 114, and 116 extend from the air cylinders 107, 108, 109, and 111, respectively, toward the rearward member 88 of the housing 83 and are attached to coupling blocks 117, 118, 119

and 121, respectively. A pair of rods 122 and 123 are secured at the upper ends thereof to the coupling block 117 and extend through the rear side and into the chamber 91 of the rear member 88 of the housing 83. A second pair of rods 124 and 126 are secured at the upper ends thereof to the coupling block 118 and also extend through the rear side and into the chamber 91 of the rear member 88 of the housing 83.

Another pair of rods 127 and 128 are secured at the upper ends thereof to the coupling block 119 and extend through the rear side and into the chamber 91 of the rear member 88 of the housing 83. A pair of rods 129 and 131 are secured at the upper ends thereof to the coupling block 121 and extend through the rear side and into the chamber 91 of the rear member 88 of the housing 83. The lower ends of the rods 122, 123, 129, and 131 extend through a first movable plate 132 and are secured to a second movable plate 133 with the two plates being attached for movement together within the chamber 91 of the rear member 88 of the housing 83. The lower ends of the rods 124, 126, 127, and 128 extend through a fixed plate 134, which is located at the forward end of the chamber 91 of the rear member 88 of the housing 83, and are secured to a movable plate 136 which is located within the chamber 89 of the forward member 87 of the housing 83.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, a plurality of sleeves 137-137 having flanges 138-138 formed at the upper ends thereof are inserted through associated aligned openings formed in the plate 136 and forward wall 139 of the forward member 87 of the housing 83. The flanges 138-138 of the sleeves 137-137 are located between the fixed plate 134 and the movable plate 136.

A plurality of pins 141-141 having heads 142-142 formed at the upper ends thereof are inserted through associated aligned openings of the movable plate 133, the fixed plate 136 and into the axial openings of associated ones of the sleeves 137-137. The heads 142-142 of the pins 141-141 are located with associated counterbores 143-143 formed in the plate 133 and are captured within the counterbores by the plate 132 which is secured to the plate 133 for movement therewith.

A plurality of partially compressed, compression springs 144-144 are positioned about intermediate portions of associated pins 141-141 with the upper ends of the springs being located within associated counterbores 146-146 formed in the underside of the fixed plate 134 and the lower ends of the springs resting on the upper surfaces of the associated flanges 138-138 of the sleeves 137-137. ln this manner, the sleeves 137-137 are maintained in a retracted position as shown in F168. 7, 8, and 9.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 7, and 8, the transfer mechanism 88 is controlled so that the housing 83 is positioned at an angle and the forward ends of the sleeves 137-137 and the pins 141-141 are withdrawn and positioned adjacent to the nesting pockets 74-74 of the slide 63. As further illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the pins 141-141 are aligned axially with associated ones of the magnetic cores 23-23 which have been assembled within the angled nesting pockets 74-74 of the loading slide 63. As illustrated in H0. 9, after the magnetic cores 23-23 have been deposited into all of the nesting pockets 74-74 of the loading slide .63, the air cylinders 187 (FIG. 7) and 111 (FIG. 7) are operated to move the coupling blocks117 (FIG. 7) and 121 (FIG. 7) toward the housing 83. As the coupling blocks 117 arid 121 are moved, the rods 122, 123, 129, and 131 are moved to move the plates 132 and 133 within the chamber 91 of the rear member 88 toward the forward wall 139 of the forward member 87. As the plates 132 and 133 are moved, the pins 141-141 are moved forwardly at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane so that the forward ends of the pins are inserted through associated ones of the spaces 69-69 (FIG. 5), through the central openings 24-24 of associated magnetic cores 23-23 and into the spaces 73-73 (FlG. 5).

After the forward ends of the pins 141-141 have been insorted through the central openings 24-24 of associated mag-v netic cores 23-23, the transfer mechanism is rotated to a position as illustrated in phantom in FIG. 3. Since the nesting pockets 74-74 of the loading slide 63 are positioned at any angle as described previously, the nesting magnetic cores 23-23 tend to slide relatively onto the forward ends of the associated pins 141-141 as the pins are moved angularly upwardly through the nesting pockets. When the transfer mechanism 80 is operated to transfer the magnetic cores 23-23 in the predetermined arrangement, the cores are lifted upwardly out of the nesting pockets 74-74 and forces of gravity and the confinement of the central openings 24-24 of the cores about associated pins 141-141 facilitate the retention of the cores with the transfer mechanism.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, when the transfer mechanism 80 approaches the end of travel of the transfer movement, the transferred magnetic cores 23-23, which are positioned on the forward ends of the associated pins 141-141, are positioned on a forward edge of the scalloped surface 27 (FIG. 1) of associated nests 26-26 formed in the support stick 22. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the support stick 22 is supported within the nest 39 of the nesting bar 38 at a slight angle which permits the assurance of the clearance of the transferred magnetic cores 23-23 as they are transported past upper portions of the stick prior to the depositing of the cores onto the forward edge of the scalloped surface 27 of the associated nests 26-26.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, after the magnetic cores 23-23 have been deposited onto the forward edge of the scalloped surface 27 (MG. 1) of the associated nests 26-26 formed in the support stick 22, the air cylinders 1118 (F16. 7) and 1119 (FIG. 7) are operated to move the plate 136 to the forward end of the chamber 89 of the forward member 87. As the plate 136 is moved to the forward end of the chamber 89, the compression springs 144-144, which were previously partially compressed, expand to urge the associated sleeves 137-137 forward so that the magnetic cores 23-23 which are located on the forward ends of the associated ones of the pins 141-141 are stripped from the ends of the pins and are moved into the associated nests 26-26 formed in the support stick 22 and against the adhesive coated surface of the backwalls of the associated nests so that the assembled cores are held with the support stick.

The air cylinders 188, 1119, 107, and 111 are controlled to withdraw the sleeves 137-137 and the pins 141-141 to their original position as illustrated in F16. 8. The transfer mechanism 88 is then rotated by the rotating mechanism 86 to the position shown in solid view in H6. 3. Thus, the plurality magnetic cores 2323 are arranged originally in a desired predetermined arrangement and assembled with associated nests 26-26 of the support stick 22 while the predetermined arrangement is maintained even though the magnetic cores are relatively small and the associated nests are in a rather confined and closely aligned location.

lclaim:

l. A method of assembling an element with a support which comprises the steps of:

supporting the element initially in a predetermined orientatron;

positioning a transfer device adjacent to the element in a path of alignment with portions of the element; moving the transfer device laterally of the path of alignment of the device and the element and into engagement with at least portions of the element to support the element in the predetermined orientation independently of the initial supporting of the element; moving the transfer device with the supported element to a position adjacent to a nesting support for the element and to move the element laterally into a predetermined position onto at least a portion of the nesting support, and

moving the element and the transfer device relatively along the path of alignment to remove the element from supporting engagement with the transfer device and into associated supporting portions of the nesting support in the predetermined position so that the element is assembled with the support.

2. A method of assembling a plurality of elements with a support, which comprises the steps of:

supporting a plurality of elements initially in a predetermined arrangement with respect to each other; positioning each of a plurality of transfer devices adjacent to associated ones of the plurality of elements;

moving the transfer devices into engagement with at least portions of the elements to support the elements in the predetermined arrangement independently of the initial supporting of the elements; moving the transfer devices with the elements supported thereby in the predetermined arrangement to a position adjacent to a nesting support for the elements, and

moving the elements from supporting engagement with the associated transfer devices into associated portions of the nesting support in the predetermined arrangement so that the elements are assembled with the support. 3. The method as set forth in claim 2, which includes the step of depositing the plurality of elements into a corresponding plurality of associated pockets so that the elements are supported initially in the predetermined arrangement.

4. The method as set forth in claim 2, which includes the step of positioning the plurality of elements at a predetermined angle as the elements are initially supported to cause the force of gravity to be exerted on the elements so that when the elements are moved from the initially supported position by the transfer devices each of the elements is moved by the force of gravity into a supported relation with the associated transfer device.

5. A method of assembling cores with a support where each core is formed with at least one opening, which comprises the steps of:

supporting a plurality of the cores in a predetermined arrangement with the axis of at least one opening of each core being parallel and in a common plane with the axes of at least one opening in each of the remaining cores;

positioning at least portions of each of a plurality of pins within portions of at least one opening of an associated one of the cores supported in the predetermined arrangement;

moving the pins in a direction to engage at least portions of a wall of each of the associated openings of the cores and to support the cores on the engaging portions of the pins in the predetermined arrangement;

moving the pins with the cores supported thereon in the predetermined arrangement to a position adjacent to a nesting support for the cores, and

moving the cores from supporting engagement with the pins and into associated nests in the nesting support in the predetermined arrangement so that the cores are assembled with the support.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5, which includes the step of depositing the cores into associated pockets for supporting the cores in the predetermined arrangement and with the axis of at least one opening of each core being positioned for axial alignment with an associated one of the pins.

7. The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the cores are supported initially at a predetermined angle which causes the force of gravity to be exerted on the elements in a predetermined direction so that when the pins are moved to support the associated cores, the cores are moved by the force of gravity into a supported relation with the associated pins.

8. A method of assembling cores having at least one opening extending therethrough within associated nests of a support stick, which comprises the steps of:

supporting the support stick in a predetermined position so that nests of the stick are located in the path of travel of transfer pins which subsequently transport associated ones of the cores to the nests;

depositing a plurality of the cores into associated ones of a plurality of pockets to support the cores in a predetermined arrangement with the axis of each core being positioned for axial alignment with an associated one of the transfer pins;

moving the transfer pins into the associated openings of the associated cores supported in the pockets in the predetermined arrangement;

moving each of the transfer pins laterally of the axis thereof and into engagement with portions of a wall of the opening of the associated core to support the core on the associated transfer pin;

moving the transfer pins with the supported cores in the predetermined arrangement to position the pins adjacent to the support stick and to position the cores onto portions of the associated nests of the support stick, and

moving the cores from supporting engagement with the associated transfer pins and into the associated nests of the support stick so that the cores are assembled in the predetermined arrangement within associated nests of the support stick.

9. A method of assembling an element with a support, which comprises:

means for supporting the element initially in a predetermined orientation;

a transfer device;

means for positioning the transfer device adjacent to the element in a path of alignment with portions of the element;

means for moving the transfer device laterally of the path of alignment of the device and the element and into engagement with at least portions of the element to support the element in the predetennined orientation independently of the initial supporting of the element;

means for moving the transfer device with the supported element to a position adjacent to a nesting support for the element and to move the element laterally into a predetermined position onto at least a portion of the nesting support, and

means for moving the element and the transfer device relatively along the path of alignment to remove the element from supporting engagement with the transfer device and into associated supporting portions of the nesting support in the predetermined position so that the element is assembled with the support.

ll0. Apparatus for assembling a plurality of elements with a support, which comprises:

means for supporting a plurality of elements in a predetermined arrangement with respect to each other;

a plurality of transfer devices;

means for positioning each of the plurality of transfer devices adjacent to associated ones of the plurality of elements;

means for moving the transfer devices into engagement with at least portions of the elements to support the elements in the predetermined arrangement independently of the means for Supporting the elements;

means for moving the transfer devices with the elements supported thereby to a position adjacent to a nesting support for the elements, and

means for moving the elements from supporting engagement with the associated transfer devices and into associated portions of the nesting support in the predetermined arrangement so that the elements are assembled with the support.

11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, which includes: a plurality of pockets formed in the predetermined arrangement within the means for supporting the elements, and means for depositing the plurality of elements into the corresponding plurality of associated pockets so that the elements are supported in the predetermined arrangement.

12. The apparatus as set forth in claim it), which includes:

a plurality of pockets formed in the means for supporting the elements, and

means for positioning the plurality of elements in the associated pockets at a predetermined angle to cause the force of gravity to be exerted on the elements so that when the elements are moved from the associated pockets by the transfer devices each of the elements is moved by the force of gravity into a supported relation with the associated transfer device.

13. Apparatus for assembling cores having at least one opening with a support, which comprises:

means for supporting a plurality of the cores in a predeter mined arrangement with the axis of at least one opening of each core being parallel and in a common plane with the axes of at least one opening in each of the remaining cores;

a plurality of pins for transferring the cores;

means for positioning at least portions of each of the plurality of pins within portions of at least one opening of an associated one of the cores supported in the predetermined arrangement;

means for moving the pins in a direction to engage at least portions of a wall of each of the associated openings of the cores and to support the cores on the engaging portions of the pins in the predetermined arrangement;

means for moving the pins with the cores supported thereon in the predetermined arrangement to a position adjacent to a nesting support for the cores, and

means for moving the cores from supporting engagement with the pins and into associated nests in the nesting support in the predetermined arrangement so that the cores are assembled with the support.

M. The apparatus as set forth in claim 13, which includes:

a plurality of pockets fonned in the predetermined arrangement in the means for supporting the cores, and

means for depositing the cores into associated ones of the pockets for supporting the cores in the predetermined arrangement and with the axis of at least one opening of each core being positioned for axial alignment with an associated one of the pins.

15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein the cores are supported initially at a predetermined angle to cause the force of gravity to be exerted on the elements in a predetermined direction so that when the pins are moved to support the associated cores, each of the cores is moved by the force of gravity into a supported relation with the associated pin.

16. Apparatus for assembling cores having at least one opening extending therethrough within associated nests of a support stick, which comprises:

a plurality of movable transfer pins for transporting the cores;

means for supporting the support stick in a predetermined position so that nests of the stick are located in the path of travel of associated ones of the transfer gins which subsequently transport associated ones of t e cores to the nests;

means for supporting the cores;

a plurality of pockets formed in the means for supporting the cores to support the cores in a predetermined arrangement with the axis of each core being positioned for axial alignment with an associated one of the transfer pms;

means for moving the transfer pins into the associated openings of the associated cores supported in the pockets in the predetermined arrangement;

means for moving each of the transfer pins laterally of the axis thereof and into engagement with portions of a wall of the opening of the associated core to support the core on the associated transfer pin;

means for moving the transfer pins with the supported cores to position the pins adjacent to the support stick and to position the cores in the predetermined arrangement onto portions of the associated nests of the support stick, and

means for moving the cores from supporting engagement with the associated transfer pins and into associated nests of the support stick in the predetermined arrangement so that the cores are assembled within associated nests of the support stick. 

1. A method of assembling an element with a support which comprises the steps of: supporting the element initially in a predetermined orientation; positioning a transfer device adjacent to the element in a path of alignment with portions of the element; moving the transfer device laterally of the path of alignment of the device and the element and into engagement with at least portions of the element to support the element in the predetermined orientation independently of the initial supporting of the element; moving the transfer device with the supported element to a position adjacent to a nesting support for the element and to move the element laterally into a predetermined position onto at least a portion of the nesting support, and moving the element and the transfer device relatively along the path of alignment to remove the element from supporting engagement with the transfer device and into associated supporting portions of the nesting support in the predetermined position so that the element is assembled with the support.
 2. A method of assembling a plurality of elements with a support, which comprises the steps of: supporting a plurality of elements initially in a predetermined arrangement with respect to each other; positioning each of a plurality of transfer devices adjacent to associated ones of the plurality of elements; moving the transfer devices into engagement with at least portions of the elements to support the elements in the predetermined arrangement independently of the initial supporting of the elements; moving the transfer devices with the elements supported thereby in the predetermined arrangement to a position adjacent to a nesting support for the elements, and moving the elements from supporting engagement with the associated transfer devices into associated portions of the nesting support in the predetermined arrangement so that the elements are assembled with the support.
 3. The method as set forth in claim 2, which includes the step of depositing the plurality of elements into a corresponding plurality of associated pockets so that the elements are supported initially in the predetermined arrangement.
 4. The method as set forth in claim 2, which includes the step of positioning the plurality of elements at a predetermined angle as the elements are initially supported to cause the force of gravity to be exerted on the elements so that when the elements are moved from the initially supported position by the transfer devices each of the elements is moved by the force of gravity into a supported relation with the associated transfer device.
 5. A method of assembling cores with a support where each core is formed with at least one opening, which comprises the steps of: supporting a plurality of the cores in a predetermined arrangement with the axis of at least one opening of each core being parallel and in a common plane with the axes of at least one opening in each of the remaining cores; positioning at least portions of each of a plurality of pins within portions of at least one opening of an associated one of the cores supported in the predetermined arrangement; moving the pins in a direction to engage at least portions of a wall of each of the associated openings of the cores and to support the cores on the engaging portions of the pins in the predetermined arrangement; moving the pins with the cores supported thereon in the predetermined arrangement to a position adjacent to a nesting support for the cores, and moving the cores from supporting engagement with the pins and into associated nests in the nesting support in the predetermined arrangement so that the cores are assembled with the support.
 6. The method as set forth in claim 5, which includes the step of depositing the cores into associated pockets for supporting the cores in the predetermined arrangement and with the axis of at least one opening of each core being positioned for axial alignment with an associated one of the pins.
 7. The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the cores are supported initially at a predetermined angle which causes the force of gravity to be exerted on the elements in a predetermined direction so that when the pins are moved to support the associated cores, the cores are moved by the force of gravity into a supported relation with the associated pins.
 8. A method of assembling cores having at least one opening extending therethrough within associated nests of a support stick, which comprises the steps of: supporting the support stick in a predetermined position so that nests of the stick are located in the path of travel of transfer pins which subsequently transport associated ones of the cores to the nests; depositing a plurality of the cores into associated ones of a plurality of pockets to support the cores in a predetermined arrangement with the axis of each core being positioned for axial alignment with an associated one of the transfer pins; moving the transfer pins into the associated openings of the associated cores supported in the pockets in the predetermined arrangement; moving each of the transfer pins laterally of the axis thereof and into engagement with portions of a wall of the opening of the associated core to support the core on the associated transfer pin; moving the transfer pins with the supported cores in the predetermined arrangement to position the pins adjacent to the support stick and to position the cores onto portions of the associated nests of the support stick, and moving the cores from supporting engagement with the associated transfer pins and into the associated nests of the support stick so that the cores are assembled in the predetermined arrangement within associated nests of the support stick.
 9. A method of assembling an element with a support, which comprises: means for supporting the element initially in a predetermined orientation; a transfer device; means for positioning the transfer device adjacent to the element in a path of alignment with portions of the element; means for moving the transfer device laterally of the path of alignment of the device and the element and into engagement with at least portions of the element to support the element in the predetermined orientation independently of the initial supporting of the element; means for moving the transfer device with the supported element to a position adjacent to a nesting support for the element and to move the element laterally into a predetermined position onto at least a portion of the nesting support, and means for moving the element and the transfer device relatively along the path of alignment to remove the element from supporting engagement with the transfer device and into associated supporting portions of the nesting support in the predetermined position so that the element is assembled with the support.
 10. Apparatus for assembling a plurality of elements with a support, which comprises: means for supporting a plurality of elements in a predetermined arrangement with respect to each other; a plurality of transfer devices; means for positioning each of the plurality of transfer devices adjacent to associated ones of the plurality of elements; means for moving the transfer devices into engagement with at least portions of the elements to support the elements in the predetermined arrangement independently of the means for supporting the elements; means for moving the transfer devices with the elements supported thereby to a position adjacent to a nesting support for the elements, and means for moving the elements from supporting engagement with the associated transfer devices and into associated portions of the nesting support in the predetermined arrangement so that the elements are assembled with the support.
 11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, which includes: a plurality of pockets formed in the predetermined arrangement within the means for supporting the elements, and means for depositing the plurality of elements into the corresponding plurality of associated pockets so that the elements are supported in the predetermined arrangement.
 12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, which includes: a plurality of pockets formed in the means for supporting the elements, and means for positioning the plurality of elements in the associated pockets at a predetermined angle to cause the force of gravity to be exerted on the elements so that when the elements are moved from the associated pockets by the transfer devices each of the elements is moved by the force of gravity into a supported relation with the associated transfer device.
 13. Apparatus for assembling cores having at least one opening with a support, which comprises: means for supporting a plurality of the cores in a predetermined arrangement with the axis of at least one opening of each core being parallel and in a common plane with the axes of at least one opening in each of the remaining cores; a plurality of pins for transferring the cores; means for positioning at least portions of each of the plurality of pins within portions of at least one opening of an associated one of the cores supported in the predetermined arrangement; means for moving the pins in a direction to engage at least portions of a wall of each of the associated openings of the cores and to support the cores on the engaging portions of the pins in the predetermined arrangement; means for moving the pins with thE cores supported thereon in the predetermined arrangement to a position adjacent to a nesting support for the cores, and means for moving the cores from supporting engagement with the pins and into associated nests in the nesting support in the predetermined arrangement so that the cores are assembled with the support.
 14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 13, which includes: a plurality of pockets formed in the predetermined arrangement in the means for supporting the cores, and means for depositing the cores into associated ones of the pockets for supporting the cores in the predetermined arrangement and with the axis of at least one opening of each core being positioned for axial alignment with an associated one of the pins.
 15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein the cores are supported initially at a predetermined angle to cause the force of gravity to be exerted on the elements in a predetermined direction so that when the pins are moved to support the associated cores, each of the cores is moved by the force of gravity into a supported relation with the associated pin.
 16. Apparatus for assembling cores having at least one opening extending therethrough within associated nests of a support stick, which comprises: a plurality of movable transfer pins for transporting the cores; means for supporting the support stick in a predetermined position so that nests of the stick are located in the path of travel of associated ones of the transfer pins which subsequently transport associated ones of the cores to the nests; means for supporting the cores; a plurality of pockets formed in the means for supporting the cores to support the cores in a predetermined arrangement with the axis of each core being positioned for axial alignment with an associated one of the transfer pins; means for moving the transfer pins into the associated openings of the associated cores supported in the pockets in the predetermined arrangement; means for moving each of the transfer pins laterally of the axis thereof and into engagement with portions of a wall of the opening of the associated core to support the core on the associated transfer pin; means for moving the transfer pins with the supported cores to position the pins adjacent to the support stick and to position the cores in the predetermined arrangement onto portions of the associated nests of the support stick, and means for moving the cores from supporting engagement with the associated transfer pins and into associated nests of the support stick in the predetermined arrangement so that the cores are assembled within associated nests of the support stick. 